Project Coordinator Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project

POSITION DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE Project Coordinator – Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project

PROGRAM Advocacy and Strategic Communications

STATUS 0.8 (12 month role)

REPORTING TO General Manager - Policy

1. JESUIT SOCIAL SERVICES OVERVIEW Our Vision Building a Just Society

Our Mission Standing in solidarity with those in need; expressing a faith that promotes justice.

Our Purpose We work to build a just society where all people can live to their full potential - by partnering with community to support those most in need and working to change policies, practices, ideas and values that perpetuate inequality, prejudice and exclusion.

Our Values  Welcoming – forming strong, faithful relationships  Discerning – being reflective and strategic in all we do  Courageous – standing up boldly to effect change.

Who we work with We are part of and work with:  Those most in need - individuals, families and communities  The broader communities in which we live and  The decision-makers, service providers and institutions that affect us.

What we do We strengthen and build respectful, constructive relationships for:  Effective services - by partnering with people most in need and those who support them to address disadvantage  Education – by providing access to lifelong learning and development  Capacity building – by refining and evaluating our practice and sharing and partnering for greater impact  Advocacy – by building awareness of injustice and advocating for social change based on grounded experience and research.  Leadership development – by partnering across sectors to build expertise and commitment for justice

05839d36eb8e4413f89e08e833c2c9e6.doc 2. PROGRAM BACKGROUND In 2014, the Catholic Alliance for People Seeking Asylum was formed to influence attitudes in the Australian community. We dream of an Australia that welcomes and respects people seeking asylum. Jesuit Social Services and Cabrini Health are joint founders of the Alliance, which is supported by an advisory group of national representatives.This role will coordinate the activities of the Alliance.

3. KEY OBJECTIVES OF THE POSITION 3.1 To influence hearts and minds in the Australian Catholic community so a greater number of people support a more humane approach to people seeking asylum. 3.2 To build a high profile for Catholic advocacy on refugees and asylum seekers. 3.3 To engage members of the Australian Catholic community in activities that support asylum seekers and in advocacy for a humane approach to people seeking asylum. 3.4 To strengthen collaboration among Catholic organisations working to support asylum seekers

4. DUTIES In conjunction with policy, communications and program staff: 4.1 Provide secretariat support to the CAPSA advisory group, and support liaison with advisory group members. 4.2 Develop strategic communication and advocacy activities that are impactful and increase community engagement in CAPSA. 4.3 Coordinate the maintenance and development of the website, E-bulletin, Facebook, Twitter, and contact database. 4.4 Strengthen the network of relationships with Catholic leaders and influencers to continually expand CAPSA’s reach into parishes, schools, and health and community service organisations across Australia. 4.5 Create the structures and systems that support and inspire local Catholic communities to be engaged in support and advocacy for people seeking asylum. 4.6 Recruit, coordinate and inspire a team of project volunteers to expand the reach and effectiveness of the project. 4.7 Initiate and coordinate events as needed 4.8 Maintain an up to date clearinghouse of policy information on government policy in relation to people seeking asylum. 4.9 Prepare submissions and letters on asylum seeker issues in conjunction with the policy team and provide policy background as required. 4.10 Maintain connections to other initiatives advocating for a more humane approach to people seeking asylum including the Refugee Council of Australia, Australian Churches Refugee Taskforce, and Asylum Seeker Resource Centre.

05839d36eb8e4413f89e08e833c2c9e6.doc 5. KEY SELECTION CRITERIA 5.1 Experience in strategic advocacy campaigns and community organising 5.2 Excellent written and oral communication, and influencing and persuasion skills. 5.3 Ability to inspire, support and coordinate volunteers and supporters 5.4 Experience maximising impact and engagement in campaigns using social media and online platforms, and proficiency with Excel, Mailchimp, Wordpress, Facebook, and Twitter. 5.5 Ability to work both independently and as part of a team. 5.6 Highly organised and professional with experience in project management and administration. 5.7 Understanding of asylum seeker policy in Australia. 5.8 A basic understanding of the structure and workings of the Catholic Church in Australia. 5.9 Understanding of and sympathy with the mission and ethos of Jesuit Social Services. 5.10 Valid Working with Children Check card. 5.11 Successfully completed Police Check to be conducted prior commencement.

6. KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS Key Performance Indicators to assist in monitoring and reviewing work performance for this Position are: 6.1. Continuous growth in the number of people and communities engaged in the project. 6.2. Continuous growth in the level of publicly visible Catholic activity in support of asylum seekers. 6.3. Accurate and timely policy and activity updates provided through the website, Facebook, Twitter, and via email to campaign supporters. 6.4. Positive feedback on support received from local Catholic communities and organisations. 6.5. Timely and satisfactory completion of all administrative and reporting duties associated with the position. 6.6. Attend regular supervision sessions as required with the Policy Manager. 6.7. Sympathetic to the values and culture of the organisation.

7. QUALIFICATIONS Tertiary qualification/s and/or experience in communications, public relations, social or community services field are preferred, but not required.

8. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT Conditions of employment are in accordance with the current Jesuit Social Services Collective Agreement and Jesuit Social Services Policy & Procedures, including the Code of Conduct.

05839d36eb8e4413f89e08e833c2c9e6.doc 9. LOCATION Based at Jesuit Social Services central office at 326 Church St, Richmond.

10. SIGNATURES By signing this Position Description the Employee confirms that it has been read, understood and accepted.

EMPLOYEE WITNESS

Name: ______Name: ______

Signature: ______Signature: ______

Date: ______Date: ______

APPROVED BY DATE Kate Colvin September 2015 General Manager - Policy

05839d36eb8e4413f89e08e833c2c9e6.doc